Modern Pentathlon

Michael D. Koehler was the grandson of one of America's greatest athletes, Jim Thorpe, and as a high school football star faced the inevitable comparisons. As an All-American fullback for Mount Carmel High School who later played for the University of Nebraska, Mr. Koehler's connection to Thorpe was frequently mentioned in newspaper stories. "He was very aware of growing up in the shadow of his grandfather," said his wife of 52 years, Pat. "At times he said it was hard, but it was just something he accepted. It wasn't until much later that he began to understand and appreciate what it meant to be Jim Thorpe's grandson." Mr. Koehler, 76, of...

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Michael D. Koehler was the grandson of one of America's greatest athletes, Jim Thorpe, and as a high school football star faced the inevitable comparisons.
As an All-American fullback for Mount Carmel High School who later played for the University of...

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